Disability Services

Disability Services

ADA and Student Enrollment

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Dickson is committed to providing opportunities and accommodations in higher education to all academically qualified students with disabilities. This commitment is consistent with the Center’s obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

It is the responsibility of the student to seek available assistance at the Center and to make his/her needs known.

Disability services are a Center resource that provides educational support services and programmatic access promoting barrier-free environments (physical, programs, information) which means ensuring the rights of individuals with disabilities and meeting its obligations under federal and state statutes.

TCAT Dickson affirms that no qualified person, by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefit of, any program or activity operated by the college. Each qualified person shall receive reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities in the most integrated setting.

Philosophy and Mission

To provide services and promote an accessible environment which allows individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity for participation in educational and other institutional activities, TCAT Dickson strives to improve access to institutional programs, activities and facilities for students with disabilities.

Statement of Purpose

TCAT Dickson endeavors to:

·Offer selective student services which are not provided by other Center offices.

·Assist students in negotiating disability-related barriers to their pursuit of education.

·Promote increased awareness of disability issues on campus.

Disability services coordinates access to reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities when the student has a documented disability from a qualified professional. Individualized services are available to the student as determined by the ADA Coordinator based on the specific disability and academic program the student pursues while enrolled.

Definition

Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities; a record of such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Qualified individuals with a disability are defined as an individual who, with or without reasonable modifications and accommodations, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the program services and activities offered by the Center.

Procedures for Accommodations

In order to receive reasonable accommodations as set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with disabilities must meet the following guidelines:

·Be self identified to the Student Services Office or the Assistant Director

·Provide current documentation of the disability (documentation is defined as a written summary from a professional who is licensed to practice in the field appropriate for diagnosing and/or treating the disability in question).

Students are assured accommodations only when documentation is on file in the Office of Students Services.This documentation will be kept confidential and used for verification assessment purposes only.

Academic Accessibility

Students with disabilities entering TCAT Dickson for the first time should contact the Student Services Office prior to their first trimester of enrollment or immediately upon enrollment. If a student is unable to perform certain academic tasks in the traditional manner because of a disability, reasonable accommodations can be arranged to allow alternative methods of meeting requirements. Reasonable accommodations are individualized and based on the nature of the disability and the academic environment. Such accommodations are discussed on an individual basis and in the spirit of equalizing opportunities rather than altering standards or waiving requirements. It is the student’s responsibility, along with the ADA coordinator, to notify and provide faculty the appropriate information.

Tennessee Disability Pathfinder

Assistance is also available from the Tennessee Disability Pathfinder, a statewide bilingual information and referral program, for individuals with disabilities by clicking here.

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by the College.